Trio sign professional deals with United

Three youngsters have signed their first professional contracts at Newcastle United.

Jack Young, Ryan Barrett and Dan Langley, who all grew up supporting the Magpies, have agreed full-time deals after progressing through the youth ranks of Newcastle's Academy.

Young, who plays as a central midfielder and joined the club at the age of seven, expressed his delight in signing for his boyhood club.

The 18-year-old told nufc.co.uk: "It's amazing. It has been what I have been working towards for all these years and to sign a contract with my boyhood club is a dream come true.

"I was happy with the experience I got from playing a few games for the under-23s last season and I hope I can really kick on and try to get a place in the starting line-up more often.

"Hopefully, this year, we can win some of the finals that we got to last season. It will be good coming into a strong team and hopefully we can go one better this time."

Barrett is a right-back who broke into United's under-23s side towards the end of the season as well as earning a first Wales Under-17 call-up last term.

"The feeling is unbelievable," he said. "I supported Newcastle as a boy so it is extra special and so I'm really looking forward to it and ready to prove myself this year.

"It was a good season last year, playing a few games for the under-23s and receiving a call-up for Wales (Under-17s). Unfortunately, I missed out on playing through injury so hopefully I can gain another chance this year.

"I think I'll be able to fit in better after the experience I've had with the team. Hopefully, I can get more starts but, if not, I'll make sure I continue to work very hard for that opportunity.

"When I was younger, I used to like watching Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll for Newcastle. Knowing that Carroll has progressed through Newcastle's Academy gives me that extra bit of inspiration and you also saw Sean Longstaff break into the first-team last year so, hopefully, I can follow in their footsteps."

Langley, who went to St. Benet-Biscop Catholic Academy in Bedlington, is a goalkeeper who stands at 6'7".

After joining United's Academy at the age of 16 following an impressive trial, Langley looks to emulate the likes of shot-stoppers Tim Krul and Freddie Woodman, both of whom excelled in United's youth system before featuring between the sticks for Newcastle's first team.

He told nufc.co.uk: "Seeing how players of that calibre (such as Krul and Woodman) have been in the position I'm in now gives me the motivation and admiration to progress to do what they've done. Hopefully, one day I can get to that position.

"I'm really excited to get started. When you are a young local lad from the area, you always think you want to be a footballer for Newcastle United. Now that that dream has come true, it's an unbelievable feeling.

"I've been heavily involved with the group but have not played any competitive games for the under-23s yet. It's an aim to start by getting some game time during pre-season and, as the season progresses, try to get myself into the team and play as many matches as I can."